Since February 2014 General Motors (GM) has recalled more than 3 million vehicles. The first GM recall involved a faulty ignition switch that has been tied to 12 deaths. A class action has been filed on behalf of GM owners for the ignition switch recall. If you are an owner of one of the GM recall vehicles, you may be eligible to join this class action lawsuit. Contact us for a free consultation and evaluation of your case.

GM Recall Class Action Filed

In March, a class action lawsuit was filed on behalf of consumers who purchases General Motors (GM) vehicles that have since become subject to a massive recall for a defective ignition switch.

GM recalled more than 1.4 million vehicles in February after admitting the ignition switch has a design defect that may allow the key to unintentionally slip from the “run” to “off” or “accessory” position while the vehicle is being operated. The ignition defect can cause the sudden loss of engine power, braking and steering, creating a hazardous emergency situation.

The complaint charges GM with breach of warranty, fraudulent concealment, unjust enrichment and breach of the covenant of good faith and alleges GM did not reveal its knowledge of the defective ignition switch to government regulators or its customers.

If you own one of the recalled vehicles, you may be eligible to join the class action lawsuit to be compensated for economic losses related to the vehicles. Fill out the contact form to reach an attorney for a free, no-obligation consultation.

Faulty ignition switch linked to 12 deaths

Major American auto manufacturer General Motors (GM) is facing a potential wave of personal injury, wrongful death and product liability claims related to a recent recall of 1.4 million vehicles for a faulty ignition switch. The defect is blamed for at least 12 deaths. Following on the heels of that recall, the auto giant announced another recall, this time involving 1.2 million crossover SUV vehicles, citing problems with the side-impact airbags and other side-impact safety systems.

On Feb. 13, General Motors (GM) recalled 780,000 Chevrolet Cobalts and certain Pontiac vehicles to repair an ignition switch problem that can allow the key to unintentionally slip from its “run” position to the “accessory” position when the car hits a bump or if the keychain is too heavy. As a result, the defect can cause an engine shutdown and loss of power steering, brakes, and safety systems, including the vehicle’s airbags and anti-lock brakes.

GM expanded the recall on Feb. 25 to include hundreds of thousands of additional Chevy, Pontiac, and Saturn cars, bringing the total number of affected vehicles in the U.S. to 1.4 million, not including thousands of other vehicles worldwide.

Twelve deaths and 31 crashes so far have been linked to the defective switches.

However, depositions taken during a civil lawsuit against GM revealed the auto maker knew in 2004, a decade before it issued a recall, that its Chevrolet Cobalt had an ignition switch that could inadvertently shut off the engine while driving.

Now, federal officials have opened a criminal probe into General Motors’ ignition switch recall to determine if and why the company waited more than a decade to correct the problem. It faces investigations by federal safety regulators, both houses of Congress and the Justice Department.
GM could be held criminally liable for failing to abide by U.S. laws mandating that automakers notify federal regulators and issue a safety recall within five days of discovering a safety defect.

A study commissioned by the Center for Auto Safety, a Washington D.C.-based consumer watchdog group, reveals as many as 303 people may have been killed in crashes involving GM vehicles with defective ignition switches. Friedman Research analyzed data from the federal auto Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), a national database collecting auto crash records from throughout the country.

Researchers combed the data for deaths in non-rear impact crashes involving airbag failure in two of the recalled models, 2005-07 Chevrolet Cobalts and 2003-07 Saturn Ions. However, the FARS figures are considered to be “raw data” and it can’t be said conclusively at this time that the 303 crash deaths are linked to the ignition defect.

GM Crossover SUVs recalled for possible airbag defects

On March 18, 2014, General Motors (GM) announced a recall involving 1.2 million crossover SUV vehicles, citing possible defects in the side-impact airbags and other side-impact safety systems. The recall includes the 2008-13 Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia, the 2009-13 Chevrolet Traverse, and the 2008-2010 Saturn Outlook.

GM says there may be a problem with the wiring in the seat-mounted side airbags. It says customers will see a warning light on the vehicle dashboard saying “Service Air Bag.” If the warning light is ignored, GM says the potential defect can cause the side-impact airbags not to work in the event of a crash. The same defect may also affect other side-impact crash safety systems, according to GM.

There are no injuries reported in relation to the potential side-airbag defect.

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More GM Recall Info

GM Recall List - Ignition Switch

The following vehicle models have been identified in the GM recall for faulty ignition swithces.

2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt

2003-2010 Pontiac G5

2005-2007 Pontiac Pursuit

2003-2007 Saturn Ion

2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR

2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice

2007-2010 Saturn Sky

GM Recall List - Airbag Defects

The following vehicles have been listed in the GM recall for faulty airbags.

2008-13 Buick Enclave

2008-13 GMC Acadia

2009-13 Chevrolet Traverse

2015 Cadillac Escalade

2008-10 Saturn Outlook

2009-10 Pontiac Vibe

GM Recall History

GM has a long history of recalled products. Here are a few of the most memorable over the years. View more recall data.

2014 - GM recalls 1.2 million models due to faulty airbag and another 1.4 million models due to faulty ignition switches

1980-1982 - GM's "x-cars", the Buick Skylark, Chevy Citation, and others were designed to be contemporary small cars, but were recalled for several failures.

1981 - 5.8 million vehicles were recalled due to rear-suspension bolt failure.

1973-1983 - Chevrolet trucks were not formally recalled due to side-saddle fuel tanks that resulted in serious burn injuries to occupants. However GM has paid out more than $500 million in related settlements.

1973 - 3.7 million vehicles were recalled due to a failed stone-guard assembly which could allow a stone to impede the ability of the driver to steer the vehicle.

1971 - 6.7 million vehicles were recalled due to failed engine mounts.

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